GII John Henry Turf Championship, GII Eddie D And GIII John C. Harris Stakes Add To Big Saturday At Santa Anita Park

GII JOHN HENRY TURF CHAMPIONSHIP, GII EDDIE D AND GIII JOHN C. HARRIS STAKES ADD TO BIG SATURDAY AT SANTA ANITA PARK

*Stakes-laden program also includes the GI Goodwood and GII City of Hope Mile, both automatic qualifiers for this year’s Breeders’ Cup *

ARCADIA, CA (Sept. 22, 2025)—The Grade II John Henry Turf Championship, Grade II Eddie D Stakes and newly named Grade III John C. Harris Stakes are part of a blockbuster 10-race card Saturday at Santa Anita that also includes the Grade I Goodwood and GII City of Hope Mile.

The John Henry Turf Championship is contested at 1 ¼ miles on grass and is a potential steppingstone to the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Nov. 1 at Del Mar. Looming large in the lineup are Gold Phoenix and Stay Hot, who were separated by just a neck when finishing one-two in the GII Del Mar Handicap going 1 3/8 miles on Aug. 30 at Del Mar.

Gold Phoenix is trained by Phil D’Amato for owners Agave Racing Stable, Little Red Feather Racing, Marsha Naify et al. His narrow victory over Stay Hot provided him with an unprecedented fourth consecutive win in the Del Mar Handicap. He’ll have regular rider Umberto Rispoli aboard on Saturday.

Stay Hot is a 4-year-old Summer Front colt trained by Peter Eurton for owners Burns Racing LLC, Exline-Border Racing LLC, Estate of Brereton C. Jones and William Dan Huddock. In two starts this year prior to the Del Mar Handicap, Stay Hot won the Texas Turf Classic at Lone Star Park in June and was third in the GII Eddie Read at Del Mar in July. He’ll be ridden by Mike Smith, who was also aboard in the Del Mar Handicap.

Also in the field is Balladeer, who won the 2023 John Henry when going gate-to-wire under Victor Espinoza. Trained by George Papaprodromou for owners Calvin Nguyen and Joey C. Train, Balladeer is winless in 12 starts since that effort.

The John Henry goes as the sixth race on a 10-race card, which kicks off at 1 p.m. PT.

The full field in post position order: Rastaman Vibe, Juan Hernandez; Balladeer, Antonio Fresu; Spycatcher, Abel Lezcano; Dicey Mo Chara, Hector Berrios; Mondego, Kazushi Kimura; Stay Hot, Mike Smith; Gold Phoenix, Umberto Rispoli.

Grade II, $200,000 Eddie D Stakes

The GII Eddie D is contested at about 6 ½ furlongs on Santa Anita’s unique hillside turf course. The field includes last year’s winner, First Peace. Trained by Mark Glatt for owner Ranco Temescal and Red Baron’s Barn, First Peace had been sidelined since that effort until finally resurfacing in the GIII Green Flash at Del Mar on Aug. 30. He was never a factor and finished 11th of 12.

Other runners exiting the five-furlong Green Flash on turf is Reef Runner, who crossed the wire first but was disqualified for interference shortly after the break. Reef Runner, conditioned by eastern-based trainer David Fawkes, has remained in Southern California since the Green Flash to prepare for the Eddie D. He’ll be ridden by Paco Lopez, who was also aboard in the Green Flash.

Beyond Brilliant finished one length behind Reef Runner in third in the Green Flash. He is trained by John Shirreffs for owner C R K Stable. Ricky Gonzalez, who rode Beyond Brilliant for the first time in the Green Flash, will again be in the irons.

The Eddie D goes as the eighth race at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT. The full field in post position order: Reef Runner, Paco Lopez; Nesso’s Lastharrah, Hector Berrios; Mucho Del Oro, Edwin Maldonado; Sorrento Sky, Umberto Rispoli; Yellow Card, Kazushi Kimura; Beyond Brilliant, Ricky Gonzalez; Kale’s Angel, Juan Hernandez; First Peace, Mike Smith.

Grade III, $100,000 John C. Harris Stakes

For 3-year-old fillies at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course, this race was renamed the John C. Harris in honor of the late titan of California racing and breeding who died in July at the age of 81. It was previously the Unzip Me Stakes, named after the multiple graded stakes winner and hillside turf course specialist who Harris co-bred and campaigned with partners.

The first-ever John C. Harris Stakes has attracted a wide-open field of 13 with any number of contenders. The lineup includes Casalu, who is the only stakes winner on grass in the lineup. Trained by Bob Baffert, Casalu won the Sweet Life Stakes in February in her only previous try on the unique hillside turf course.

Coming west for trainer Graham Motion is Warming, a daughter of Global Campaign owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. She will be cutting back in distance and getting class relief after finishing fifth in both the GI Belmont Oaks going 1 1/8 miles in July at Saratoga and the GII Lake Placid at one mile in August at Saratoga. She has lured the services of Umberto Rispoli for her local debut.

The John C. Harris Stakes goes as the 12th and final race. The full field in post position order: Warming, Umberto Rispoli; Practical Dream, Mike Smith; Schilflied, Tyler Baze; Innovative, Ricky Gonzalez; Lee’s Baby Girl, Mirco Demuro; Casalu, Kazushi Kimura; Donttellourwives, Diego Herrera; Favor to You, Juan Hernandez; Eiffel, Antonio Fresu; A Thousand Miles, Assael Espinoza; Tight Squeeze, Paco Lopez; Miso Phansy, Armando Ayuso.